Dec. 22, 2005

ALBANY, N.Y. December 22, 2005 – New York State United Teachers today responded to the State Senate's Rebate-NY legislative proposal. The union expressed reservations about some of the plan's recommendations but praised the Senate's push to shift tax burden away from homeowners.

"The Senate has put some interesting proposals on the table," said NYSUT President Richard Iannuzzi. "NYSUT obviously supports steps to help make sure that education dollars are spent on education while at the same time providing tax relief for homeowners.

"We have concerns about some of what the Senate put out – some of the proposals are flawed and will hinder attempts to improve student performance. But we've been calling for the state to provide property tax relief for homeowners, while adequately funding education, and the Senate majority should be commended for trying to move in that direction."

NYSUT has been pushing for a return to progressivity in the state's income tax. The union's proposal would provide a state income tax cut for 95 percent of New York taxpayers while raising enough revenue to shift a considerable portion of education costs from local property tax payers and provide a significant increase in funding for education, according to NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan B. Lubin.

"We don't know the details of the Senate proposal," Lubin said. "Obviously, we'll be watching very closely, and there are some proposals that are non-starters. Our biggest concern has always been the classroom, and we'd like to see tax relief discussions balanced with talk about academic progress.

"But the most important aspect of the Senate proposal isn't the specifics about how to shift the tax burden from the homeowners to the state; the most important thing is that we're having the conversation."

Lubin said NYSUT would be taking part in the Senate's proposed hearings on the property tax.

"This proposal raises a lot of questions that have to be addressed in the context a number of education-related issues, like the CFE case and No Child Left Behind requirements," Lubin said. "NYSUT is anxious to get those questions answered."

NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 525,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO.

CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org.

NYSUT.ORG. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.